King in Waiting

After almost seven years in exile, King Constantino of Greece awaits a political fate rare even for present-day monarchs. By popular vote, Greek citizens will decide next week whether he should return as the crowned head of a democracy or whether Greece should become a republic, effectively ending a royal tradition of 141 years.

In a ten-minute telecast last week, Constantine, 34, said that he hoped to return home soon--whether as King or as a citizen. He promised that the royal family will abide by the decision of the voters.

Constantine's exile has been futile, costly and unhappy. He was criticized for the ineffectiveness of his resistance to Greece's military regime as well as for his continued financial dependence on it. He and his wife, Anne-Marie of Denmark, 28, moved last spring from their estate outside Rome to a comfortable but hardly imposing house in the suburbs of London. With a household staff of three and a personal secretary for the King, they live almost like newlyweds, with furniture borrowed from her family. It was here that Constantine granted TIME'S William McWhirter his only recent interview.

ON THE REFERENDUM: The King has nothing to fear in facing the people. I welcome it because it is important for the people to decide what kind of government they want. But a king doesn't campaign. You don't go around making speeches. I also don't think it would have made much difference.

ON A NEW MONARCHY: Whatever happens shall be totally the decision of Parliament. They are the only ones who have the right to decide what the King should do. One of the things that a king can offer to a country is a unifying force. There is a sense of continuity that a king can give from one generation to another. I think people still welcome legality. They welcome stability.

ON EXILE: I'm dying to go home.

Anyone who has ever lived in exile knows the bitterness of having lived away from his own country. My only thought now is that I should be in my country and have our children go to Greek schools and be amongst the people.

ON RESISTANCE TO THE JUNTA: I did as much as I could. You burn yourself out after that, and who is going to listen? The last seven years [of military rule] was a dark period of shame and a crime which should never, ever have happened.

ON THE FUTURE: Greece, I feel, has returned to itself, and whatever else changes in the future, we are all hopeful that there will be no turning back from that.

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